carroll



(No Model.)

E. J. CARROLL.

SPINDLE STEP. No. 488,688. A Patented Dec. 27, 1892.

Unirse STATES PATENT OFFICE..

EDGAR J. CARROLL, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO VILLIAM T.CARROLL, OF SAME PLACE.

SPINDLE-STEP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,688, dated December27, 1892.

Application filed January 4, 1892. Serial No. 416,949. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

f Be it known that I, EDGAR J. CARROLL, of VOrCeSter, in the county ofIVorcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovementsin Spindle-Steps, of which the following is a descriptionsufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable any person skilled in theart or science to which said invention appertains to make and use thesaine, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis specification, in which- Figure l is an elevation of a spindleshowing my improved step in position, the rail being represented insection; Fig. 2 a like view showing the step supporting two spindles;Fig. 3 avertical transverse section enlarged of the bolster showing thestep, in elevation; and Fig. 4 an elevation showing means for mountingthe step on the lower rail.

Like letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding part-s inthe different Iig'- ures of the drawings.

My invention relates especially to anadjustable step for spindles; andit consists in certain novel features hereinafter fully set forth andclaimed, the object being to produce a simpler, cheaper and moreeffective device of this character than is now in ordinary use.

In the drawings, A represents the rail and B the spindle. The main partsof the bolster, D, and spindle are of the ordinary construction, saidbolster being secured to the rail in the usual manner. The spindle caseor bolster has its spindle opening extended through its lower end sothat the spindle projects therethrough. I employ within the bolster abushing, b, shown in Eig. 3 preferably constructed of wood prepared inoil to avoid the necessity of lubricating the spindle in the usual Way.The spindle tapers toward its step and the spindle opening in saidbushing is tapered correspondingly. The spindle is held out offrictional contact with said bushing by means of the step hereinafterdescribed. On the lower end of the bolster, D, below the rail a bracket,H, is constructed; the form shown in Fig.,1 being offset slightly fromthe spindle opening of the bolster and comprising a right angle-iron.The arm, d, of said bracket is tappedl vertically .to receive an arbor,f, fitted to rotate in said opening. on a screw, g, turned into thelower end of said opening. On the upper end of said arbor a horizontallyarranged wheel, h, is mounted and projectsbelow the spindle opening ofthe bolster, D, in position to receive the lower end, z', of thespindle, B, for which it forms a step. The wheel, h, is constructed of acomposition of paper stock or indurated fiber known as leatheroid andwhich is of eX- treme hardness. bearing on the side of the wheel, h,said wheel is gradually set in motion by the friction of the spindle,continually changing the point of'contact therewith. This wheel may beconstructed of any material desired but I prefer that described as Ifind in practice that it avoids the necessity of lubricating the step,the peculiar nature of such material reducing the friction of thespindle thereon to a minimum. The wear resulting from, thel contact ofthe spindle is also greatly reduced by the rotary movement of the stepwheel. Said wheel can be adjusted vertically to regulate the bearing ofthe spindle in its bushing by means of the screw, g.

In Fig. 2 a stub-shaft j is mounted in the rail, A, and the wheel, h, ofenlarged diameteris journaled on said shaft. The ordinary bolsters, D,are in this case employed and said wheel is shaped to receive thebearing points, ,of two adjacent spindles. The wheel is adjustablevertically onthe shaft by means of nuts, 7c. In Fig. 3 said wheel ismounted on a shaft, q, in openings, of', in said arms, m, said shaftbearing on the points of two screws, if, turned through the lower endsof the arms, m, and held in position by check nuts, c. The wheel in thisform will be set in motion by the rotation of the spindle and can beadjust,

ed vertically by means of said screws, t.

In Fig. 4 a standard, R, is substituted for the bracket, H, and ismounted in the lower rail, C, the wheel, h, being journaled in a fork atthe upper end of said standard. The lower end of the standard isscrew-threaded at, w, so that it may be adjusted vertically andcheck-nuts, secure it in position.

I do not confine myself to any method of mounting the step, but deem thewheel form- Said arbor bears As the spindle, B, rotates IOO ing anadjustable support for the spindle and journaled to rotate by contacttherewith whereby the point. of contact may be continually changed, thepreferable construction.

Having thus explained my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combinationof a spindle the bolster provided with a spindle opening extendingthrough its lower end with a wheel journaled below said opening inposition to support the spindle, substantially as described.

2. The combination with aspindle; a bolster having a spindle openingextending through its lower end; and a Wheel journaled below saidopening and forming a step for the spindle, the journal of said wheelbeing vertically adjustable, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a spindle; a bolster having a spindle openingextending through its lower end and with an arm projecting below therail, a wheel journaled on said arm in position to ysupport the spindle,the journal of said wheel being vertically adjustable, substantially asdescribed.

4. A spindle and a bolster' provided with a bracket projecting below therail and a spindle opening extending through its lower end incombination with a wheel journaled to rotate horizontally in saidbracket and projecting under the spindle opening of said bolster andmechanism for adjusting the wheel journal vertically, substantially asdescribed.

5. The bolster, having the spindle opening, the bushing and spindle, incombination with the bracket, H, the arbor, f, adjustably journaled insaid bracket and the wheel, h, on said arbor all being arranged tooperate substantially as described.

f 6. The bolster provided with a spindle opening extending through itslower end in combination with the bushing therein having the taperspindle opening; the taper spindle disposed. in said bushing with itsend projecting therethrough; and a step for said spindle comprising awheel j ournaled below said opening and having a vertically adjustablejournal whereby the bearing of the spindle in said bushing may beadjusted.

EDGAR J. CARROLL.

Witnesses:

JOHN S. SEARS, JOHN HEWITT.

